AROUND THE MAJORS

Judge rules in favor of Clemens

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Roger Clemens can keep his lawyer in the defamation lawsuit against his former trainer, who accused the pitcher of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Lawyers for Clemens' former trainer, Brian McNamee, filed a motion for attorney Rusty Hardin to be removed from the case because Hardin represented Clemens and pitcher Andy Pettitte for several days before the release of the Mitchell Report in December.

McNamee said Clemens and Pettitte used performance-enhancing drugs. McNamee's attorneys had argued that Hardin should be removed from the case because there could be a conflict of interest.

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Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling tested his ailing shoulder by playing catch on flat ground but isn't ready to begin throwing off a mound.

The 41-year-old right-hander threw 25 balls from 60 feet away. Schilling will repeat the exercise Thursday before the Red Sox complete a four-game series against the Tigers.

Schilling preferred to have surgery on the shoulder but after being examined by three doctors, he agreed to rest and rehabilitation. Schilling has a tendon injury and possibly a damaged rotator cuff, depending on the diagnosis.

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Milwaukee Manager Ned Yost said he was sticking with Eric Gagne as his closer despite the fact the 2003 National League Cy Young Award has five blown saves.

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Major League Baseball will hold a ceremonial draft of living former Negro Leagues players before its annual amateur draft June 6.